East Coast South America
Overview
Brazil's coastline stretches for 7,500 kilometres, encompassing the iconic Ilha Grande bay south of Rio de Janeiro, the Fernando de Noronha marine sanctuary, and the unspoiled beaches of the northeast. Argentina's Río de la Plata and the spectacular Beagle Channel near Ushuaia offer dramatic southern adventures for the intrepid charterer.
Areas & Highlights
Brazil (Rio & Coastal Islands)
Brazil's coastline stretches 7,491 kilometres — the longest in South America — encompassing a dazzling variety of landscapes from the tropical rainforest coast of the Amazon delta to the Rio de Janeiro's magnificent Guanabara Bay. Rio itself, with Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, and the spectacular sweep of Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, forms one of the world's great natural harbours. Ilha Grande, two hours south by yacht, is a largely car-free UNESCO reserve of spectacular Atlantic rainforest, hidden beaches, and crystal-clear coves. The colonial port of Paraty, further south, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary preservation.
Argentina (Buenos Aires & Patagonia)
Argentina's eastern coast encompasses one of South America's most contrasting yacht charter itineraries — from the cosmopolitan sophistication of Buenos Aires, with its European architecture, world-class steak restaurants, and passionate tango, to the raw Patagonian wilderness of Peninsula Valdés, where southern right whales, orca, elephant seals, and Magellanic penguins concentrate in extraordinary numbers. The UNESCO-listed Peninsula Valdés is one of the world's great wildlife watching destinations, particularly from June to December when southern right whales calve in the sheltered Gulf Nuevo.
Uruguay (Montevideo & Punta del Este)
Uruguay — South America's smallest and most stable nation — offers a yacht charter experience of understated sophistication and natural beauty. Montevideo, with its beautiful waterfront rambla, outstanding beef culture, and relaxed pace of life, is one of South America's most liveable cities. Punta del Este, an hour east by yacht, transforms in summer (December-March) into the hemisphere's most glamorous beach resort, attracting South America's wealthy elite, international celebrities, and world-class art events. The outlying Isla Gorriti and Isla de Lobos (home to one of the world's largest sea lion colonies) are easily accessible.
Peninsula Valdés, Argentina
Peninsula Valdés — a thumb of land protruding into the South Atlantic in Patagonia — is one of the world's supreme wildlife destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sheltered Gulf Nuevo and Golfo San José form critical breeding grounds for southern right whales, which gather from June to December to calve in numbers exceeding 2,000 individuals. The orca of Punta Norte have developed an extraordinary hunting technique — deliberately beaching themselves to catch sea lion pups — one of the most spectacular predator behaviours on earth. Magellanic penguin colonies, guanacos, rheas, and elephant seals complete one of nature's greatest shows.
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands — 483 islands in the South Atlantic, 500 kilometres east of Patagonia — are one of the world's great wildlife destinations: five species of penguin (king, gentoo, rockhopper, Magellanic, and macaroni) nest in accessible colonies, black-browed albatrosses breed on dramatic clifftops, southern right and sei whales are regularly sighted offshore, and South American sea lion beaches fringe the island coasts. Stanley, the capital, retains a strong British character with colourful corrugated iron houses and historic shipwrecks in the harbour. The waters are cold, clear, and exceptionally rich — fishing and wildlife watching are world-class.
Whale Watching & Wildlife
The South Atlantic coast is one of the world's great marine-wildlife destinations. Peninsula Valdés hosts southern right whales, elephant seals and orcas, while the Falklands offer penguin colonies and dramatic seabird cliffs best viewed from the water.
About the Destination
Why Charter East Coast South America?
South America's eastern seaboard offers one of yachting's most diverse and dramatic charter experiences. Brazil's coastline stretches for 7,500 kilometres, from the tropical Amazon delta to the subtropical beaches south of Rio. Argentina and Uruguay add European sophistication and Patagonian wilderness to the mix.
Rio de Janeiro
Arriving by sea into Guanabara Bay is one of the world's great maritime moments. Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer on the horizon, and the sweep of Copacabana and Ipanema — Rio by yacht is unforgettable. Ilha Grande, two hours south, is a UNESCO rainforest reserve with over 100 pristine beaches.
Brazil's Ilha Grande & Paraty
The Ilha Grande bay south of Rio is Brazil's most beautiful sailing ground. The colonial port town of Paraty is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary preservation, set against the backdrop of Atlantic rainforest mountains.
Argentina & Patagonia
Buenos Aires is one of the world's great cities — European architecture, world-class steak, and passionate tango. Further south, Peninsula Valdés is a UNESCO site where southern right whales, orca, and Magellanic penguins concentrate in extraordinary numbers.
Weather & Climate
Brazil's best charter season is October to April (southern hemisphere summer), with warm temperatures and manageable winds. Rio and the southeastern coast experience occasional squalls in summer but generally excellent conditions. Argentina's Patagonian coast is best in the southern summer (November–March), though wind can be strong. The Beagle Channel near Ushuaia offers incredible scenery year-round.
Nov
excellent26°C
Sea 23°C
11 kn
Summer beginning, excellent
Dec
excellent28°C
Sea 25°C
12 kn
Peak summer, warm
Jan
excellent30°C
Sea 27°C
13 kn
Carnival season, hot
Feb
good29°C
Sea 27°C
12 kn
Warm, occasional thunderstorms
Mar
good28°C
Sea 26°C
11 kn
Season winding down
Apr
good25°C
Sea 24°C
10 kn
Cooler, quieter
Perfect For This Destination
Charter Yachts
Browse our curated fleet of luxury yachts ideal for chartering to East Coast South America.